OUR research

The Economic, Social and Cultural Contributions of Chicago’s Colleges and Universities

2016 ECONOMIC IMPACTIn October 2016, America's Urban Campus (AUC), a consortium of 22 not-for-profit Chicago-area colleges and universities, released an updated study on the publicly available data detailing several characteristics of the member institutions and how Chicago's higher education system impacts the city, further establishing Chicago as a global destination for higher education and post-graduate employment. The updated study, was again conducted by Anderson Economic Group and funded by the AUC institutions.

2014 ECONOMIC IMPACT​Prior to this study, in November 2014, America’s Urban Campus (AUC), a consortium of then 17 not-for-profit Chicago-area colleges and universities, released the results of an in-depth study on how Chicago’s higher education system impacts the city, establishing Chicago as a global destination for higher education and post-graduate employment. The study, conducted by Anderson Economic Group, LLC, and funded by The Chicago Community Trust, surveyed Chicago’s AUC colleges to determine how the schools collectively benefit students and faculty, impact the workforce and support local businesses. According to the AUC findings, Chicago is a premiere education hub in the United States and beyond.

​Over a nine year period from 2003 to 2012, the number of degrees and certificates awarded by Chicago-area schools increased by 26 percent. Additional impacts include:

National Education: In 2013, AUC schools educated more than 216,000 students from every state in the country and more than 100 countries around the world. Chicago ranks third in the nation on number and percentage of students relative to city’s total population.

Economy and Workforce: AUC schools provided 46,000 jobs, 4 percent of the overall Chicago workforce, and generated $10.8 billion back into the economy in 2013. One out of four bachelor degree-holding Chicago residents graduated from an AUC school.

Local Youth: AUC schools and universities invest in the future of Chicago education with 1,400 documented partnerships and programs in Chicago Public Schools. The programs involve more than 42,000 CPS students at 578 schools and provide opportunities for students to prepare for post-graduate work.

Arts and the Community: AUC programs greatly impact the City of Chicago’s culture and communities. The students, faculty and alumni of America’s Urban Campus colleges and universities have been a major driving force behind the music, theater and arts scenes in the City of Chicago for decades.